URL: https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1216

Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Finance Officer

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The existing contract Property have a contract with CIPFA, which is valid up to 31st March 2026, at total awarded contract sum of £121k (including contingency) plus additional £30k expenditure prior to 1st April 2025. The contract covers contract work with property for two days a week at an agreed daily rate of £1,100. The additional requirement The Community Asset Transfer and Support Programme is a large scale piece of work that the Council is seeking to deliver at significant pace due to the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey. Full Council agreed the work and the budget in September 2025. The programme was launched on 5 November and 196 expressions of interest were received by the initial closing date of 2 December 2025. The Council does not have sufficient internal specialist property resource to deliver the programme to time in house and therefore requires external support. Therefore, this would increase the original awarded contract sum of £121k to £182k triggering a variation of 50.00%. Although based on the total value of contract, this is below the Procurement Act threshold for services contracts and no published contract change notices required, this is a substantial modification. However, the original direct award of appointed CIPFA was to support the Council with its property related advice, and this new instruction is to include the additional service required to support the Community Asset related activity. The volume of responses was not anticipated to be this significant. Reason for decision: A variation to the CIPFA contract is proposed for three reasons: a) CIPFA bring a unique set of skills that is not found in other providers. CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) is the only professional body in the UK that specialises solely in public services. CIPFA has a dedicated Property Advisory Service that helps councils manage and invest in property portfolios strategically. Local authorities must operate within the CIPFA Prudential Code and Treasury Management Code, which set rules for borrowing and investment. CIPFA ensures property projects comply with these frameworks, reducing risks of over-leverage or unsustainable investment. They are therefore uniquely placed to support delivery and risk management in this programme. b) CIPFA know the Council because of the existing work they do and are therefore able to immediately commence the work without any onboarding c) the time-line of the programme does not allow for a wider procurement exercise to take place. The volume of expressions of interest was higher than anticipated and key decisions must be taken by 20 March 2026 and the work is due to complete by end June 2026.

Content:

Date of Decision: December 18, 2025